Weekend roundup - Jan. 30, 2017

SYDNEY, Australia -- After a harrowing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, Michael Wardian (Arlington, Virginia) emerged as the winner and new record holder - by more than 45 minutes - finishing with an average of 2:45:57 per marathon. He finished the final marathon in Sydney, Australia in 2:45:31.

“It made me question my sanity every day, which is always a good thing,” Wardian told The Washington Postduring a Facebook Live interview.

The 42-year-old ran through various terrains and weather conditions, most challenging being the -30C windchill temperatures in Antarctica. Other marathons took place in Punta Arenas, Chile, Miami, Madrid, Marrakech and Dubai.

Thirty-two other athletes completed the globe-spanning feat, including U.S. Olympian and half marathon American record holder Ryan Hall (Mammoth Lakes, California). Hall, who retired from professional running last year, announced this would be his last marathon and ran to raise funds for the non-profit L.A. Dream Center.

Casimir Loxsom breaks 600m world record at Penn State National Open

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pennsylvania -- 2015 IAAF World Championships team member and Penn State graduate Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Connecticut) broke the men’s 600m American record with a time of 1:14.91, also a world best, during the Penn State National Open.

“I’ve wanted to come back here and race from the time I left campus,” said Loxsom. “This is one of my favorite tracks in the world to compete at.”

While this broke Emmanuel Korir’s previous best of 1:14.97 by .06 seconds, Penn State’s Isaiah Harris (Lewiston, Maine) also finished under the clock in 1:14.96.